Dara’s Moskowitz Grumdahls Top 5 Pastry Chefs

April 1, 2013 10:55 AM

Saturday on WCCO Radio’s new food show, “Off The Menu” Twin Cities Food Critic for Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl shares her picks for a “Top of the Twin Cities” list. The fanciest restaurants in the Twin Cities do many things well, but maybe the most unique and artful of them are the pastries and desserts. This Saturday, it was the top 5 Pastry Chefs in the Twin Cities according to Dara!

Cosmos is best known for decadent desserts and amazing martinis. (Credit: cosmosrestaurant.com)

Cosmos Restaurant, in the Graves 601 Hotel on the 4th floor (also available in Bradstreet Crafthouse on the 1st floor), is often an overlooked gem of fine Twin Cities restaurants. Khahn Tran does amazing things with pastry, is extrememly technically proficient and precise. Dara recommends going to Cosmos and getting a dessert course if you are an admirer of fine pastry work.

There probably isn’t a finer example of great dining in the Twin Cities better than La Belle Vie. A James Beard winner for “Best Chef” in 2009 is just one example of what they do right at La Belle Vie, from food to service and everything in between. That includes Diane Yang and her unbelievable pastries. She does very delicate work with excellent work in the creamier flavors. Think of subtle touches like the vanilla in a dessert and nobody balances the flavors like Diane Yang at La Belle Vie.

Located inside the gorgeous Guthrie Theater, Sea Change made it’s name serving sustainable and delicious seafood. But Niki Francioli doesn’t let it end on the beach as she makes dessert just as amazing. Niki is one of Minnesota’s more avant-garde pastry chefs. She’ll wow you with plate effects and crumbles. If you are interested in the next wave of pastry chefs, check out Niki at Sea Change!

Union is a newcomer to Minneapolis and Twin City diners. They’re retractable roof and fancy new food at the old Shinders on Hennepin has wowed people so far. But early returns on the desserts have been fabulous. Alexandra Motz does remarkable things with things like deep chocolates, blood orange sorbets, delicious Quenelles and more make it a great spot to take a girlfriend out for a birthday treat or another special occasion.

The Bachelor Farmer is housed in a historic brick-and-timber warehouse located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. They’ve become a darling of fine food diners in Minnesota with their Scandinavian-inspired menu and things like growing its own produce on a small farm located on the roof! But pastry chef Krista Steinbach keeps the dessert course rolling along too. From incredible little pies, to magnificent brioches and maybe the best brunch in the Twin Cities, make sure you keep the Bachelor Farmer on your dessert list!